So You Want a Dog?If you have ever contacted a breeder about
purchasing a puppy and were put off by their many questions,
you may have missed out on an opportunity to get a great puppy.
It is the breeder, animal shelter worker, or pet store staff
member who doesn't ask questions that you should be concerned
about! Making a good match between puppies and prospective buyers
goes far beyond having clean kennels and well-groomed dogs.
Breeders have made the decision to allow their dogs to produce
puppies. Pet store owners have elected to sell puppies. The moral
responsibility of ensuring these young dogs find good homes rests
entirely on their shoulders. Some potential puppy buyers may be
turned off by a barrage of pointed questions and choose to buy a
dog elsewhere. Responsible people, however, do their utmost to
ensure the life-long health and well being of the animals they
choose to bring into this world. The dogs themselves have no
voice. No choice. A truly responsible breeder will ask you all of
the following questions—and many others. Answer their
questions fully, but also make a point of being a good listener.
Use your own judgment to help you select the best possible breed
of puppy for your family. While there is no way you can guarantee
you'll make the right choice, at least you can rest assured
that you tried your best.
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Degree of Commitment
- Who is the puppy for?
- Is it a gift for someone other than an immediate family
member?
- How do you know the person really wants a puppy?
- How do you know this is the breed of dog they want?
- Are you over 18 years of age? If not, do your parents want
you to have a dog?
- Why do you really want a puppy and the many years of
commitment that come with owning a dog?
- Why do you want a particular breed of dog?
- Are there any young children in your home? If yes, how many
and how old are they?
- What member of the household will be the dogs primary care
giver? (This duty usually falls upon the female head of the
household.)
- How often do you travel? Can you afford a pet sitter or
kennel care when you go away?
- Will you be able to care for the pet for his natural
lifetime? Will the novelty of dog ownership wear off over
time?
- Do you have other pets? If so, how do you think the animals
will get along?
- What provisions have you made to ensure compatibility?
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Home Lifestyle
- Do you own or rent your home? If you rent, are you allowed to
have pets? (Ask for a signed release from the landlord.) What
will you do if you move or your living arrangement changes?
- Are your home and/or vehicle suitable for your chosen breed
of dog?
- Is your yard fenced? What type of dog run and dog house have
you planned?
- Will the puppy be kept outside? If so, under what
circumstances will you allow it in the house?
- Does your lifestyle allow enough time (and money) to properly
care for a dog?
- Is any member of your household allergic to (or afraid of)
pets or strongly opposed to having a puppy in the house? Can you
learn to live with pet hair, puppy kisses and muddy paw
prints?
- How will you transport the dog? Will you let it ride in the
back of an open pickup truck?
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Knowledge Experience
- Have you ever owned a dog? If so, what happened to it?
- Do you have any experience in house training a puppy? If so,
how long has it been since you had your last puppy? What methods
of training did you use?
- How do you plan to exercise the dog? Do you plan to attend
puppy classes and obedience training?
- Do you fully understand the annual cost of food, grooming,
licence's and veterinary care?
- Are you aware of any genetic problems common to your chosen
puppies breed? Have you asked the breeder about these
problems?
- How did you find out about this breed, and what do you really
know about it?
- How do you feel about spaying and neutering? Have any of your
dogs ever had unplanned litters?
- Are you aware of the cost of emergency vet care and
impoundment fees should the dog stray?
- Do you presently know a good veterinarian, groomer, kennel
operator or someone who owns this breed of dog? What do they like
about the dogs personality, trainability, and general care? What
do they NOT like about the dog?
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